Trailer light

Abstract

A trailer light assembly for use on boat trailers, which assembly is capable of maintaining a light fixture component of the assembly at such a height that the light fixture is not brought into contact with the water when the trailer is being used to launch or retrieve a boat. Maintenance of the desirable height is achieved by having the light fixture move upward or away from the water in response to a flotation device which is attached to the light fixture. The trailer light assembly may also feature a double-acting pivot point which will allow the flotation device to survive lateral forces thereon.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A trailer electrical light assembly mountable to a trailer, which assembly comprises: a. mounting means attachable to the side of said trailer;   
     
     
       b. an elongated, hollow sleeve attached to said mounting means at a point above the attachment point of said mounting means to said trailer, said sleeve having its long axis substantially perpendicular to the horizon; 
     
     
       c. an elongated rod slidably fitted within said sleeve; 
     
     
       d. an electrical light fixture attached to said rod at a point adjacent its upper end so that said light fixture will be positioned above the upper end of said sleeve; and 
     
     
       e. a flotation device attached to said rod at a point adjacent its lower end so that said flotation device will be positioned below the lower end of said sleeve. 
     
     
       2. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 1 wherein said rod has a length within the range of from about 11/2 to about 3 feet. 
     
     
       3. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 2 wherein there is additionally provided a first anti-rotational means upon said sleeve and second anti-rotational means on said rod, said first and second means cooperable one with the other to prevent rotation of said rod about its long axis, and wherein there is additionally provided pivoting means which attaches said sleeve to said mounting means so that a pivot point, which is transverse to the long axis of said trailer, is provided whereby said flotation device can pivot upon application of forces to said flotation device when said forces are in a plane substantially parallel along the axis of said trailer. 
     
     
       4. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 1 wherein there is additionallly provided a first anti-rotational means upon said sleeve and second anti-rotational means on said rod, said first and second means cooperable one with the other to prevent rotation of said rod about its long axis. 
     
     
       5. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 4 wherein said first anti-rotational means comprises a beveled upper end on said sleeve, the uppermost end of said bevel being positioned towards the back of said trailer and said second anti-rotational means comprises an anti-rotational knob at the upper end of said rod and at a point on said rod whereby said rotational knob faces towards the front of said trailer and rests on the lowermost end of said bevel. 
     
     
       6. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 1 wherein there is additionally provided pivoting means which attaches said sleeve to said mounting means so that a pivot point which is transverse to the long axis of said trailer is provided whereby said flotation device can pivot upon application of forces to said flotation device when said forces are in a plane substantially parallel along the axis of said trailer. 
     
     
       7. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 6 wherein said pivoting means comprises a spring-loaded, double-acting hinge, the upper end of said double-acting hinge being attached to said mounting means and the lower end of said double-acting hinge being attached to said sleeve. 
     
     
       8. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 1 wherein there is additionally provided a first anti-rotational means upon said sleeve and second anti-rotational means on said rod, said first and second means cooperable one with the other to prevent rotation of said rod about its long axis, and wherein there is additionally provided pivoting means which attaches said sleeve to said mounting means so that a pivot point, which is transverse to the long axis of said trailer, is provided whereby said flotation device can pivot upon application of forces to said flotation device when said forces are in a plane substantially parallel along the axis of said trailer. 
     
     
       9. The trailer electrical light assembly of claim 8 wherein said first anti-rotational means comprises a beveled upper end on said sleeve, the uppermost end of said bevel being positioned towards the back of said trailer and said second anit-rotational means comprises an anti-rotational knob at the upper end of said rod and at a point on said rod whereby said rotational knob faces towards the front of said trailer and rests on the lowermost end of said bevel; and wherein said pivoting means comprises a spring-loaded, double-acting hinge, the upper end of said double-acting hinge being attached to said mounting means and the lower end of said double-acting hinge being attached to said sleeve.